For the purposes of this piece, Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons was not included as a linebacker. While he is commonly pinned as a linebacker in most rankings/discussions, I believe Simmons to be a nickel/overhang who operates more like a safety than a linebacker.
Build: Willie Gay Jr., Mississippi State
Long gone are the days of 255-pounders dominating the sport and being thrust upon a pedestal as the “ideal” linebackers. In today’s day and age, linebackers need to find a blend between sturdiness and flexibility. Those who can fly around and glide gap-to-gap across the line of scrimmage while still being able to pack a punch and take on a block are the “ideal” backers of the modern era.
Enter Willie Gay Jr., a 6-foot-1 and 243-pound explosive athlete. Though 6-foot-1 is maybe a smidgen short, Gay rocks a frame that is both rock-solid and lean-cut. Gay has the weight behind him to be able to manage blocks and deliver some nasty hits, yet isn’t so weighed down that he cannot play sideline-to-sideline or move around in coverage. [[ad:athena]]
Granted, Gay’s mental processing can run a bit hot and cold, which plays into how well he can use some of his size and traits, but he still measures with a great build for the position. Guys such as Bobby Wagner, Navarro Bowman, Luke Kuechly, Zach Brown, and Myles Jack all measure in within an inch and five pounds of Gay’s 6-foot-1 and 243-pound range.
Speed: Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma
Kenneth Murray is not a lot of things, but he sure as hell is fast. At the NFL Combine a month ago, Murray clocked in at 4.52s on the 40-yard dash, which ranks in the 91st percentile among LBs since 1999, and it honestly felt like a minor disappointment relative to his speed on film. That is how fast Murray looked in that Sooner crimson and cream.
#Oklahoma LB Kenneth Murray (6-foot-2, 235) —
— Matt Bowen (@MattBowen41) February 26, 2020
The pursuit speed jumps on film. Range to the ball from the 2nd level + some edge rush ability. Three-down traits. Would expect a 40 time at 4.4/4.5 here in Indy. @NFLMatchup pic.twitter.com/LZ7JBaT06f
Under DC Alex Grinch, Murray played more of a “see ball, chase ball” role than a legitimate linebacker role. Given how space-oriented the Big 12 is and the fact Murray was always one of the best athletes on the field, it made sense for Murray to effectively be a ball hunter. It’s not like Oklahoma had the defensive talent to be sound across the board anyway, so why not just let the best athlete on the roster roam around?
Kenneth Murray does a lot of #Patriots-type things at LB. Fits their measurables better than Patrick Queen at 6-2, 241 and took snaps on & off the line.
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) April 6, 2020
Not as fast to key on plays as Queen, but range + closing speed is there. Plays the speed option, beats the TE, makes TFL. pic.twitter.com/paJUWg72g1
Coverage: Patrick Queen, LSU
At least as far as I’ve seen, there is no dominant coverage linebacker in this year’s draft class. There are varying degrees of potential — ranging from Kenneth Murray‘s raw, unrefined range to Logan Wilson’s smooth zone eyes and trigger — but it is difficult to find a guy who is going to be a stud coverage piece for certain.
The closest thing, however, is Patrick Queen, who at least hits the baseline as both a man and zone defender while flashing incredible peaks. Queen can get lost in deeper zone drops from time to time, but his downfall is not so much that he does not know what he is doing, it is that he can be too willing to take a gamble and trigger to a direction a hair early. When it works out, though, Queen looks like a magician.
Queen flying across the field like this has to be film-study related. As soon as #2 is under and he passes it off, Queen books it to the opposite hash w/ some depth and jumps in front of the passing window at the perfect time. Zero hesitation. pic.twitter.com/MkuETvtSBF
— Derrik Klassen (@QBKlass) March 29, 2020
Queen was one step ahead of Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa in the clip above. Be it film study or incredible instincts (or a healthy mix of both), Queen showed no pause in triggering toward where he believed the ball was going to go without even checking to see if a WR would actually be there. You can see the moment the play clicks in Queen’s head and how quickly he subsequently fires to go make a play.
There may be some growing pains early as Queen tries to refine some of his “gambling” in coverage, but with some half-decent coaching, it will not be long before Queen is able to make plays like this on the regular.
Block Shedding and Handling: Malik Harrison, Ohio State
Dealing with blocks as a linebacker is not about just blowing up the opposing offensive lineman. More often than not, a linebacker’s responsibility in handling a block is to play a “half-man” into whichever gap they are responsible for. This also requires some degree of processing and trigger to get there in time, but top-tier linebackers must show the ability to work themselves into the gap and maintain their position there.
Nobody in this class does it like Malik Harrison.
Steps w/ back at first, but sees the H come across and redirects. Gets to inside shoulder, works himself into the gap, and forces runner to cutback. Spill to your help. Harrison is so good lmao. pic.twitter.com/FZ9uDrjEJq
— Derrik Klassen (@QBKlass) March 21, 2020
In the clip above, Harrison shows the know-how, technique, and strength to “spill” this run properly to the outside. Harrison approaches the line of scrimmage while reading both the insert blocker coming across the formation as well as the running back’s path. Harrison sees the insert blocker bend inside to the B-gap while the running back tries to slam the ball up through the center and left guard. In seeing all of this, Harrison knows to “wrong arm” the insert blocker to take away the inside rushing lane and force the runner to bounce, pushing the runner right into the waiting arms of the free cornerback (Damon Arnette, #3).
Malik Harrison 🧐
— Derrik Klassen (@QBKlass) March 1, 2020
Nice work vs pulling guards, think a lot of college LBs struggle with that ... then does a good job to roll-and-run to find the crosser in coverage pic.twitter.com/YAPRdIjE3y
Harrison also has the sense and balance to play through cut blocks on pulling plays. At least to me, how a linebacker handles pulling concepts is the litmus test for how well they understand the position — and Harrison passes with flying colors. In this instance, Harrison plays over the top and crashes the blocker’s outside shoulder, which either forces the RB into his waiting arms or forces the RB to cut inside. Presumably, the RB thought the cut block on Harrison would take him out and clear the way, but Harrison gets low, absorbs the contact, and springs back up to make the tackle. You will not find but a handful of NFL linebackers who can play pullers that way.
Run Defense: Malik Harrison, Ohio State
What do y’know — the best LB in the class at handling blocks is also the best processor in run defense! Coverage may be an up-and-down area for Malik Harrison, but against the run, he is an absolute monster with zero weakness. Technique, speed, strength — the man has it all when playing from numbers to numbers in the run game.
This dude is it. pic.twitter.com/ZC6T9sL2ug
— Derrik Klassen (@QBKlass) March 1, 2020
Harrison is in lockstep with the running back’s movement on this play. As soon as the back declares his direction, Harrison crashes the line of scrimmage while keeping an eye on the two insert players (fullback and sixth OL in the backfield). Harrison knows a few steps in that it is a wide zone call with the two insert players fitting front side, which pits Harrison against the sixth OL inserting into the B-gap (between left tackle and left guard). Harrison fits right through the insert blocker’s outside shoulder to help “box” the play back inside.
The quick and commanding fit alone makes this a positive play from Harrison, but that he could wiggle through the gap, regain his balance, and lunge to help with the tackle is just ridiculous body control in a congested area. When Harrison locks onto his key in the run game, which he does early and often, it feels as though there is no stopping him from making the play.
Additionally, Harrison checks the box for all different kinds of run defense archetypes. Harrison can be a thumper, a gap shooter, or a perimeter chaser all in the same series, if need be. It is fair to say being a thumper is where Harrison shines most, but he is still an above-average presence when shooting gaps and chasing to the perimeter, especially for a heavier player who measured in at 6-foot-3 and 247-pounds at the NFL Combine.
Tackling: Jacob Phillips, LSU
Patrick Queen is the obvious star LB in this class, but LSU’s other starting linebacker ain’t too shabby himself. Phillips is a good deal slower than Queen and does not quite have the same diagnostic skills, but when Phillips gets in position to take down a ball carrier, he doesn’t miss. Phillips’ tackling is as sure as rain in April.
In 2019, #LSU LB Jacob Phillips was a Tackling machine. The 6'3" 230 Pound LB had 113 tackles last year, and should be a solid contributor to any team who drafts him. He could be a mid round target for the #Raiders. @jacobphillips_1 pic.twitter.com/8RvpMdEeUY
— Sanjit T. (@Sanjit__T) April 11, 2020
Phillips is a short, stout player with just enough agility to be a force between the tackles. He consistently puts himself into comfortable positions to make a tackle and almost never squanders the opportunity. While Phillips may be simply outrun at times around the perimeter, Phillips does not expose himself to lateral moves at the second level and absolutely will not allow himself to be run through, even by the toughest backs the SEC has to offer.
It will take some improvements in coverage and perhaps an extra ounce of athleticism for Phillips to develop into a legit NFL starter, but at the very least, his baseline run defense skills and excellent tackling make him a high-end backup candidate right out of the gate, similar to guys like Elandon Roberts and Josey Jewell.
